Dulce Man Charged with Multiple Counts of Sexual Abuse of Children

ALBUQUERQUE – A Dulce man was charged by indictment with multiple counts of sexual abuse against two minors under the age of 12.

Herbert Ben, Jr., 54, an enrolled member of Jicarilla Apache, appeared before a federal judge today and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

According to the indictment, between July 2018 and October 2020, Ben engaged in sexual acts with two children who had not attained the age of 12 years.

If convicted of the current charges, Ben faces not less than 30 years and up to life in prison.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Jicarilla Apache Police Department and Bloomfield Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Caitlin L. Dillon and Timothy Trembley are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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